Individual-towel cabinet



April 29, 1930. F. s. STElNEfi INDIVIDUAL TOWEL CABINET Fiied July 2, 1928 fzzz zzior fkAA/KG. Jrf/Nfe Patented Apr. 29, 1930 UNITED STATES,

PATENT orrics FRANK STEINER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STEIN'ER SALES COMPANY,

OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, A CORPORATION OF UTAH I TNDIVIDUAL-TOWEL CABINET Application filed July 2,

My invention relates to that type of individual towel cabinet which comprises a stand or frame adapted to rest uponthe floor, having in its upper portion a support whereon the bundle of individual towels is supported and provided in its lower portion with a space or chamber wherein the soiled towels are allowed to fall when released by the user. i

The primary object of my present invention is to provide improved means for exerting a yielding backward pressure on the bundle of towels and allowing the convenient grasping of the forward towel of the bundle and its removal to a position where it can be readily used. In towel cabinets of this type, using a follower board or plate for exerting abackward pressure on the bundle of towels, it is usually necessary for the person loading the cabinet to hold the follower or plate in an outward or withdrawn position with one hand, while the hundle of clean towels is placed in position in the rear of the follower with the other hand. i

With my improvement the follower will be moved to and held in its outermost position by foot power, and the attendant will have both hands free to place the towels in the cabinet. A further object is to provide a cabinet with a follower that will be positive and reliable in its operation'and in which it will be practically impossible for the user of the cabinet to prevent the follower from maintaining a continuous pressure on the bundle of towels. Pressure on the treadle will release the towel and permits its con- "venientremoval, but as soon as the foot is removed from'the treadle the follower will 4 automatically assume its working position.

' from the following detailed description.

Other objects of the invention will appear The invention consists generally in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing formiug' part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section of an individual towel'cabinet embodying my invention;

1928. Serial No. 289,827.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a quantity of towels in the cabinet with the follower thrown forward by the depression of the operating treadle; i t

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the cabinet;

inclined braces 4 which are secured to the legs2. Suitable braces 5 are provided at the bottom between the front and rear legs and above the legs 3 the forward and rear portions of the'ra'ils are connected by plates 6. A plate 7 surmounts the legs or rails 6 and has a socket 8 therein adapted to receive a plate 9 that is mounted'on theend of a rod 10. This rod is adapted to pass through eyelets or grommets in the individual towel 11 and flexible means such as a chain 12 connects the forward end of the rod 10 with a lock device 13 which prevents any unauthorized or malicious person from removing the towels and the hanger or support therefor from the cabinet. This lock device 13 is mounted on a cross rod 14 which serves as a connecting means vbetween the rear legs of the cabinet. Bars 15 are pivoted at16 on the vertical flanges of the braces 4L and provided with a follower plate 17. This plate has studs 17' intermediate its upper and lower edges and these studs fit loosely in holes 17" provided in the bars 15 and allow the follower to swing freely and seat itself against the bundle of towels. A rod 18 connects the upper portions of the bars 15 for holding them inparallel relation and the pivot at 16 permits the bars to swing freely back and forth preferably in slots 19 provided in the horizontal flanges of the braces l, the walls of the slots forming guides for the bars. A U shaped treadle 20 is pivotedat 21 at the rear of the machine and has bars 22 connecting its middle portion with pairs of toggle links 23 and 24 on each side of the cabinet, the upper/ends of the bars being joined to the links at their point of intersection, having a common pivot with them,

depressing the treadle can conveniently withand as the bars are raised and lowered by the operation of the treadle, the links 23 and 2 1 will form toggles, opening up to swing the upper ends of the bars 15 forwardly against the tension of the coil springs 25. The bars 22 preferably move vertically in slots provided in the horizontal flanges of the braces 5. A shield 26 is preferably provided wherein the springs 25 and the links 23 and 2a are mounted, the former pivoted at 27 on the braces 4. Normally the tension of the springs 25 will draw the lower portion of the bars 15 forwardly and press the follower plate against the bundle of towels that is supported in the upper portion of the cabinet, and tend to hold the follower against the surface of the bundle with a yielding pressure. An individual towel when desired for use, can be drawn out between the towel supply and the yielding follower.

lVith this device the attendant will only need to depress the treadle and thereby the follower will be moved out away from the bundle of towels. Normally the parts will be in the position as substantially shown in Figure. 1, where the follower is in contact with the rear wall 7 of the cabinet before the towels are placed on the supporting rod, the rear wall having a recess 31 formed there in to receive the hand of the attendantif he wishes to grasp the upper edge of the follower. The rod 18 connects the upper portions of the bars 15 and holds them in parallel relation. lVhen the treadle 20 is depressed,

the links 23 and 24 of the toggle will be opened as indicated in Figure 2, the lower portion of the arms 15 will be swung inwardly or backwardly against the tension of the springs 25 and the upper portions of said arms will be swung forwardly with the follower supported thereon. The attendant by keeping one foot on the treadle, can hold the follower out of contact with the bundle of towels. As soon, however, as the treadle is released, the tension of the springs will swing the supporting bars and move the follower inwardly or backwardly, causing it tofpress with considerable force against the forward towel of the bundle. I r

In the operation of the cabinet,the user draw a towel from the bundle and pull it forward to a position where it can be conveniently used. As he leaves the cabinet, release of the treadle will release the followerand it will immediately return to its normal position to exert a yielding pressure on the bundle of towels. V

The cabinet as shown is preferably made of angle bar material to insure rigidity and a minimum of weight and the moving parts are protected in their guides so that it will be practically impossible for any of them to become bent or twisted, and prevent the successful operation of the cabinet. The follower plate being loosely mounted, is free to swing on its pivots and adjust itself to the face of the bundle of towels as the bundle is reduced in size by the withdrawal of the forward towel. I

plate for engaging'and pressing the towels "s5 b'ackwardly in said frame, a-spring connectagainst the towels, toggle links operatively connected with sald plate, and means for operating. said links to move said plate o-uted with and normally urging saidffollower wardly and relieveits pressure on the towels.

2. towel cabinet comprising 'a rrama horizontal rod adapted ,to support albundle of individual towels,-one in front of the other, a follower plate adapted to bear. 011.

the bundle of towels, a toggle mechanism having means connecting it, connecting said treadle with said follower plate, a .ti'eadle operatively connected with said toggle me-chanism, and means normally resisting the 'depression of said treadle and the outward movement of said follower away from the towels. p 7

3. A towel cabinet comprising a frame, a support for a bundle of individual towels: placed one in front of the other thereon, :a follower plate adapted to bear on the bundle of towels, upright pivoted bars whereon said; follower plate is supported, a treadle-devi ce, means pivotally connecting said tIQELdlGw'dG-y vice with said bars, andmeans connected with said bars andadapted to normally hold said follower plate against the bundle of towels with a yielding pressure. 1 i

4. A towel cabinet comprising a {frame 1;. having side angle bars, asupport in the upper portion of the cabinet adapted to receive individual towels, arms pivoted in the upperfportion of the cabinet and having a limited oscillating movement in slots 'provided in. said? angle bars, a follower plate pivotally supported by said bars, means connected with said bars and normally tending to hold their upper ends backward with a yielding pressure, and mechanism for oscillating said barsf against the pull of said means to temporarily relieve the pressure on the towels.

5. A towel cabinet comprising a frame, a support in the upper portion thereof adapted to receive a bundle of individual towels, pivoted bars mounted in said frame, a follower plate carried by said bars and adaptedto bear on the bundle of towels, links pivotally connected to one another and pivoted respectively to said frame and to the lower portion of said bars and forming toggles, springs normally tending to hold said links in a folded position and said follower against the towels with a yielding pressure, a treadle, and means pivotally connecting said treadle with the connected ends of said toggle links, whereby depression of said treadle will cause the toggles to actuate said bars against the tension of said springs and move said follower plate away from the towel.

6. A towel cabinet comprising a frame, a

support whereon the bundle of individual towels may be placed one in front of the other, a follower adapted to bear on the bundle of towels, toggle links having means connecting them with said follower, means adapted to be actuated by the user of the cabinet for operating said toggle links to move said follower away from the towels and release pressure on the forward towel, and means for normally holding the follower against the towels with a yielding pressure.

7. A towel cabinet comprising a frame, a support therein adapted to receive a bundle of individual towels placed one in front of the other, a follower adapted to engage the bundle of towels, oscillatable bars whereon said follower is supported, means connected with said bars and normally urging said follower against the towelswith a yielding pressure, and a foot treadle having an operative connection with said bars and whereby said follower plate may be moved away from the towels to permit an attendant to use both hands in placing a fresh bundle of towels in the cabinet.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of June, 1928.

FRANK G. STEINER. 

